The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Originally intended for New York City progressives, its readership is now national. For anyone who wants to be alerted by email whenever this newsletter is updated (usually weekly), please send your email address and let me know what state you live in (so I can keep track of my readership).

Fallbrook Democratic Club MeetingDate(s): Thursday, May-05-11Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PMDescription: Our speaker will be one of the leading securities lawyers in the US, Bill Lerach. He will speak on "America's broken retirement plans." Perhaps best noted for his record recovery of $7.2 billion for defrauded shareholders in the Enron case, he appeared in the documentary, "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room." Everyone is welcome to attend.Location: Fallbrook Public Utility Dist (Conf room) Fallbrook 92028Contact: (760) 703-2008Email: fallbrook_club@sddem.orgWebsite: www.fallbrookdemocraticclub.com

Description: After several years of effort we now have new Health Care law addressing the nation's health. Several of its elements have already improved the benefits for many of us. However, there is a concerted effort under way to dismember it. We have invited Dave Roberts to talk about the major elements of the new law, its benefits and beneficiaries, its opponents and their sponsors, and potential impacts. Dave Roberts joined HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) in July 2002 and serves as Vice President of Government Relations since July 2005. Previously, Dave has served as a Corporate Vice President for a Fortune 500 company, as a professional staff member on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and advisor on three U.S. Presidential campaigns. In November 2008, Dave was re-elected to his second four-year term on the Solana Beach City Council in San Diego County, California. Please check Lake San Marcos Democratic Club Newsletter for detailed directions to the meeting place or call for further information.

Description: Join the San Diego Democratic Club for the LGBT Community Center's third annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. When he was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1977, Harvey Milk (1930-1978) became one of the first openly gay men to be elected to political office in the United States. On election night, Harvey Milk reminded his supporters: This is not my victory - it's yours. If a gay man can win, it proves that there is hope for all minorities who are willing to fight. He was assassinated (along with Mayor George Moscone) on November 27, 1978, only eleven months after taking office. Although he did not live to see his dreams fulfilled, the example of his life and leadership has made him an important national symbol of the struggle for human rights and freedom of expression.

Community Coffee with Assemblymember AtkinsDate(s): Saturday, May-21-11Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AMDescription: You are invited to attend a community coffee to discuss state and legislative issues with Assemblymember Toni Atkins. Refreshments will be served.Location: North Clairemont Library, 4616 Clairemont Dr. San Diego, CA 92117Contact: (619) 645-3090Email: assemblymember.atkins@assembly.ca.govWebsite: www.asmdc.org/members/a76

CURRENT TV:Current TV, founded by Al Gore, includes some of the best journalism in America today. In particular their Vanguard series is amazing and should not be missed by ANYONE who wants to know in depth coverage of some of the major stories in the world.

Our organization is a Chartered Club of the San Diego County Democratic Party. CDA is focused on empowering Chicano/Latino Democrats in the city of San Diego and South County region through advocacy of candidates who share our values.

Our meetings are held every 1st Wednesday of the month at 6:30 pm attheSherman Heights Community CenterIn the little yellow house to the right of the center.2258 Island Ave.San Diego, CA 92102

The specific purpose of this corporation is to produce civic, cultural and educational programs, which support and encourage pride within San Diego's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

Formed in 1974, as a sponsored program of The Center for Social Services, we produced the first Lesbian and Gay Parade in San Diego to celebrate the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion on New York's Christopher Street. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in 1994 and today San Diego Pride continues to bring together the skills, talents and vision of our diverse community through numerous programs including the Equality Torch Relay, Walk For Equality and the annual LGBT Pride Celebration which attracts 250,000 participants to Hillcrest for America's Finest Pride Parade and Festival.

Filipino American Democratic Club of San Diego County:http://www.filamdems.com/

We are actively recruiting individuals in the community that are interested in getting involved as well as individuals that have demonstrated their involvement and commitment to our community values and positions on issues in San Diego. Check out our "Contact Us/Membership" page for more information or visit us at our next meeting.

For more info, contact: filamdemsd@gmail.com

NAACP SAN DIEGO:Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. From the ballot box to the classroom, the thousands of dedicated workers, organizers, leaders and members who make up the NAACP continue to fight for social justice for all Americans.

Here are some local NAACP branches:

San Diego NAACPPO BOX 152086San Diego, CA 92195760-754-9686

North County NAACPPO BOX 5786Oceanside, CA 92052760-754-9686

N San Diego NAACP Youth CouncilPO BOX 5786Oceanside, CA 92052

Americans United for Separation of Church and StateSan Diego Chapter

We come from all 50 states and a wide variety of religious, political and philosophical backgrounds. We are dedicated to preserving the constitutional principle of church-state separation as the only way to ensure religious freedom for all Americans.

Beginning in 2007, community, faith, labor, and legal organizations have come together as the Immigrant Rights Consortium. Through the Consortium, these organizations are pursuing four common goals:

Support comprehensive immigration reform. Stop the spread of local policies and practices that target and violate the civil and human rights of immigrants. Educate immigrants about their rights and the legal and other resources available to them. Educate the public about the important contributions of immigrants and counter the myths and misstatements made about immigrants.

Ocean Beach People's Organic Food Market is a member-owned vegetarian consumer co-op that has been serving the community since 1971. Originally a worker's collective, the cooperative has grown to include 6000 feet of retail space and more than 8000 member/owners. The Co-op offers an extensive selection of organic produce, grocery, dairy, and bulk foods and herbs, as well as vitamins and homeopathics, cruelty-free bodycare, and aromatherapy products. Enjoy a full service sit-down deli featuring a delicious selection of home-style vegetarian and vegan entrees, salads, sandwiches, freshly prepared baked goods, desserts, and more! At People's, San Diego's only community owned grocery store, we specialize in products that are organic, wholesome, minimally processed, cruelty-free, and environmentally safe.

I used to shop at this one way, way back when I went to UCSD. It was great then!

Since its introduction to the campus in 1978, the Food Co-op has committed itself to providing the UCSD community with a natural food alternative, as well as a resource for environmentally conscious products and information.

The Food Co-op carries a variety of food and non-food products ranging from baked goods, juices, sandwiches, fresh organic produce, macro-biotic and ethnic foods to cruelty-free cosmetics and environmentally safe cleaning agents. Many foods are stocked in bulk to reduce the price to the customer and the waste of packaging (please bring bags when buying!). Special orders can be made at discount prices (good for items not necessarily carried in the store, as well!).

Come in to shop, get informed, and/or volunteer as a general member of our store. For more information, call (858) 546-8339.

I will also point out some other UCSD co-ops that I liked when I was a student there.

The Ché Café

The Ché Café Collective is dedicated to providing cheap, healthy vegetarian food, all-ages entertainment, and alternative education. We have All-We-Can-Eat dinners every Thursday from 5 pm to 7 pm. Entertainment at the Ché ranges from poetry readings and plays to forums, or shows of local bands.

The Ché Café is surrounded by a grove of old eucalyptus trees and is next to the beautiful garden of the Farm Co-op. Tables and chairs inside and outside of the Ché and its close proximity to the Farm Co-op make it an inviting place to eat, study, or just hang out.

The Ché Café is open to having people come by and help out. The Café provides a great opportunity for people to get involved in the process of cooking, running a restaurant and/or putting on events at any level they feel comfortable at. Stop by or call us at (858) 534-2311.

(The Ché Café is located on the Revelle campus behind the Undergraduate library and down the hill from Stonehenge. We're the building with all the murals on it.) Read more about the Che Cafe Collective at its very own website: http://checafe.ucsd.edu/.

General Store

The General Store Co-op is a student-run store which was founded in 1980 to offer students a less expensive alternative to the high Price Center. [EDITOR'S NOTE: This is not quite right...the Price Center didn't even exist when the General Store was founded and greatly appreciated by students like myself.] As a student cooperative, we try to provide the University community with the best quality merchandise at the lowest prices. And we succeed! The General Store Co-op carries items such as selected essential school and office supplies, household and personal items, stationery and gift wrap, clothing (including UCSD logos), craft-center jewelry, and some food and snack items -- all of which range from 5-25% less than anywhere else on campus.

Students are generally most interested in the fact that we sell textbooks, which are guaranteed to cost less than at the UCSD bookstore. We also try to carry as many used texts as possible. Also, we buy back current editions year round. Stop by to check which classes' books we're carrying.

We encourage everyone to visit the General Store Co-op for our low prices and friendly service. Additionally, anyone is invited to come in and volunteer anytime as volunteers are the backbone of our organization. For further information or friendly help please feel free to call us at (858) 534-3932.

GREEN BUSINESSES IN THE SAN DIEGO AREA: These are some of the best local businesses around. Taken from the Green America Green Pages